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S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:23 am
by Toby_Unna
anyone know for sure if the six speed box from an e36 m3 evo will fit an m52 2.8 engine?
if so will m3 clutch/flywheel components be needed or will the m52 bits fit?
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:12 pm
by dan_emaps
I'm 99% sure it does but can't say for definate
My reasoning being that the m52 2.8 uses the same gearbox as the 3.0 M3, and i know that the 3.0 M3 box fits onto an S52 evo lump ok.. plus i'm sure i've seen a 6 speed evo box on a 2.8 before!
Hope this is of some help.. and i'd imagine you could use the stock flywheel, not sure about clutch though...
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:25 pm
by jaistanley
A friend fitted the 6 speed from an E46 (same) to his M50 engined E36 325i recently.
We had to machine the clutch plate from the M3 to fit the flywheel from the M50 because thats what we had.. No doubt you could use an M3 flywheel and full clutch. You'll also need a custom prop and trans mount which I'm sure you know; and possibly gear selector system, talk to Ian about that.
Works OK but the 325i but deosn't suit it at all, The M52 would probably be worse. They both have a large flat torque curve, not suiting the small stacked ratios of the 6 speed. We have the diff from an E36 M3 evo in there though so the engine is totally stifled. Probably be fine with the right diff choice.
So I'm 99.99999999999999% sure it'll fit. But not sure it's worth it unless you get the box for a reasonable price... If so do it!
Jai
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:36 pm
by dan_emaps
Yea thats a good point. i've also heard the 6 speed is not as nice to use as the 5 speeder too, alot more notchy
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:51 pm
by DanThe
Ive been considering doing this myself,
Anyone know what the differences are with the gear ratios?
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:25 pm
by Aico
Exactly the same, but the 6th gear is an overdrive. Around 0.82something I believe.
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:33 pm
by stevetigger
DanThe wrote:Ive been considering doing this myself,
Anyone know what the differences are with the gear ratios?
Here too!
Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:43 pm
by DanThe
If the 1st to 5th ratio's are the same then how can it not suit the 2.5?

Re: S52 6sp box onto M52 engine
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:46 pm
by stevetigger
Project for us Dan!
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:30 am
by GermanGorilla
Hi,
The gearbox ratio's in the 5 speed are totally different to the 6 speed
box.
Simple checking would confirm such.
The Getrag 280 6/6 speed box has the common ratios as found in
the E34 540i / E34 M5 6 Speed/ E36 M3 3.2 / E39 M5/ E46 M3.
1 - 4.23
2 - 2.53
3 - 1.67
4 - 1.23
5 - 1.0
6 - 0.83
On the Getrag 280 5 speed found in the E34 M5 5 Speed/
E36 M3 5 Speed/ MZ3 Coupe they are-
1 -3.51
2 - 2.08
3 -1.35
4 - 1.0
5 - 0.81
Mis-information can cause people lots of problems, so please guys, if you do not know then please do not pass comment.
Regards,
The Gorilla.
Re:
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:13 am
by Aico
That can not be right. The 5th gear from the E36 is 1:1. I don't know about the E34.
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:09 pm
by GermanGorilla
Hi Aico,
1.0 means direct drive ie - 1 to 1.
The Ratio's are all per BMW.
As stated, the ratios for the Gearboxes are completely different.
Regards,
The Gorilla.
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
by DanThe
GermanGorilla wrote:Hi,
The gearbox ratio's in the 5 speed are totally different to the 6 speed
box.
Simple checking would confirm such.
The Getrag 280 6/6 speed box has the common ratios as found in
the E34 540i / E34 M5 6 Speed/ E36 M3 3.2 / E39 M5/ E46 M3.
1 - 4.23
2 - 2.53
3 - 1.67
4 - 1.23
5 - 1.0
6 - 0.83
On the Getrag 280 5 speed found in the E34 M5 5 Speed/
E36 M3 5 Speed/ MZ3 Coupe they are-
1 -3.51
2 - 2.08
3 -1.35
4 - 1.0
5 - 0.81
Mis-information can cause people lots of problems, so please guys, if you do not know then please do not pass comment.
Regards,
The Gorilla.
But I was trying to compare the 6 speed with an M50/52 5 speed which is direct drive in 5th,
Are these the same?
Re:
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:46 pm
by stevetigger
M50 Getrag
1- 4.23
2- 2.52
3- 1.66
4- 1.22
5- 1
reverse- 4.04
M50 ZF
1- 4.20
2- 2.49
3- 1.66
4- 1.24
5- 1
reverse- 3.89
Re:
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:47 pm
by stevetigger
Looks like a good match Dan!